Born of Oak and Silver (The Caradoc Chronicles) (27 page)

I looked at her and smiled, “
Rien, ma chèrie
, nothing my darling. I intend to spend this day with you. How would you feel about taking the horses out later?”

Her face momentarily grimaced and flushed as she looked down at the bed linens and said, “I think that does not sound like a very pleasant idea at all.”

Embarrassed myself, I chuckled at her candor. “Well, what would you prefer to do?”

“I don’t think I have any intention of letting you or myself out of this bed
at any time, with the exception of attending to the necessities,” she said casually.

Necessity.

What an interesting choice of word.

Necessity demanded that I go out immediately and begin attempting
to find the Sword, or in the very least narrow in on an area in which I should begin my search. I could not go anywhere near Jackson’s farm. And as the Fae had mentioned, they were concentrating their search around water, which meant that I needed to do the same. But what was I looking for, and how would I know it when I found it? I was willing to look, but I would be going about it blindly.

Th
ere were so many questions. So many things that had obviously happened in the twelve years that Ayda and I had been in the Silver, and I had no idea of their passing. Not for the first time, I wished that Bram were here.

Ayda had grown silent as she watched my face mulling over the
obstacles that were before me. “Daine,” she said tentatively, “what did you overhear the Sidhe discussing?”

Did I tell her that they were discussing who would get the first chance at her, or did I skip over that part and
focus on their mention of the Sword? She would be terrified if she knew that they had even mentioned her.

“Ayda, we are all that each other
have, and we’ve just created the opportunity to make something of our very own. Although I will endeavor to always do my best by you, there will be times that I will undoubtedly fall short. There will be times where I chose to keep things from you. Not to hurt you, but to protect you.” She then moved and rested her head on the pillow so that we were face-to-face. “However, I will always be honest with you, and I ask that you do the same for me. If there is something you’d rather keep to yourself, please just tell me so.”

She nodded her head in agreement. “Does this mean that you are not going to tell me what you heard the Sidhe say?” She began to worry her bottom lip with her teeth.

I raised my hand, rubbing the regrowth of beard that had come in since I had shaved the morning before. I stared up at the ceiling above us. I blew my breath slowly from my lips. I turned toward Ayda, propping my head up with my hand. “Ayda, all you need to know is what you already do know. The Fae have a proclivity of using humans for their lustful satisfaction. Please, just always be careful. If ever you are afraid and I am not here, run into the house, shut and lock the door behind you, and do not open it until I return. As long as you are within the wards, you will be safe.” I raised my hand to brush her wanton waves behind her ear. She nodded solemnly. “You must promise me you will always keep yourself safe.”

She nodded again.

“That is not good enough,” I told her. “I want to hear you say it.”

“Yes, I will do what I must to keep myself safe,” she said a bit begrudgingly.
I gave her a look, indicating that I knew that she could be reckless and impulsive. To which I earned an earnest, “I promise,” from her lips.

“Good
,” I responded. “Make sure that you do. The Sidhe are dangerous. Never underestimate them.” I lowered my head on the pillow, rearranging it so that it held my head up more comfortably. “They mentioned the Sword. It’s what they’re here for. They believe that it is here in Kamarina, near water. I do not know if this means that it could be around the river, a pond, or simply a man-made fountain. I don’t know anything. All that I do know is they are here, and that is why.”

Ayda was silent,
I assumed thinking over the possibility of the Fae finding the Sword before we did. If they found it, she knew as well as I did that there would be no stopping them. “Looks like we’ll be taking the horses out after all,” was all she said as she moved to get out of bed.

So much for hopes of spending the entire day in bed with my wife
, I thought, completely disappointed as I followed her lead and found dry clothes to wear.

We rode north of Kamarina.
Jackson’s farm was on the west near the Mississippi River. There were a few ponds and streams this way, but nothing of note that I could think of as being a pulling or drawing feature. It was just trees, marsh, and more trees. It was hot, and the close confines of the swamp grass and trees made it feel almost claustrophobic. I felt terrible for even allowing Ayda to come this far with me.

“Do you know wh
at we’re looking for?” Ayda asked as she walked through ankle-deep mud. She’d raised her skirts to help with her mobility, but unfortunately it did not seem to be helping. Gnats hovered in clouds everywhere, and biting flies did their best to taste us. It was miserable.

“No, I’m sorry
ma amour
, I do not know what we are looking for. I highly doubt we’ll find a sword just lying in the open. I wish I knew what clues the Fae had to go by; it would make our search just a little easier,” I said exasperatedly. I was beyond frustrated, and the flying pests that seemed intent on eating me alive did not help the situation.

“Gah!” Ayda vented as she struggled to remove her foot from where it had been sucked down into the mud.

I moved quickly to catch her as she was about to stumble. “I suppose we should go back into town; we are not doing anyone any good out here.” I took her arm and began helping her move through the muddy bog.

“Grandad will come
, Daine. If there is anyone or anything that can help us, it will be him,” Ayda told me reassuringly.

I knew that she was
right; I just hoped he made it before the Sidhe found the Sword.

It was slow going, but eventually we made it back to the firm ground
, where we had left our horses. We drank thirstily from our canteens. The sun and heat seemed to suck one’s strength almost immediately out here. I helped Ayda mount her horse, and then easily made it on to my own. We moved the horses along at a slow, leisurely walk.

“Remind me why we like this place again,” I joked while we lumbered along underneath the thick canopy of leaves overhead.

“Oh, I don’t think I can recall that at this moment. But, maybe,” she said as she closed her eyes feigning mental effort, “I think it might have something to do with the beautiful spring weather and the kind people.”

I smiled as I reached up
to use the back of my hand to wipe the sweat from my brow. “Yes, maybe it was that. I just can’t be sure. At present, nothing sounds better than a cool Irish summer.”

“Agreed. Entirely. Wholeheartedly. Absolutely. Agreed.”

We continued to meander, not in any rush, nor feeling any need to push our horses in this heat. The poor beasts had to be miserable enough as it was. Ahead I saw someone walking toward us along the path.

I reine
d up my horse vigorously, and shot out a hand to hold Ayda back. She too was pulling on the reins as her horse nervously began to erratically step backward, fighting to get it back under control. Both of our horses were panicked and moved fitfully, proving difficult to restrain from throwing us both and then bolting away.

The warning on my skin grew to a steady hum as the person walked closer. As he drew near, I noticed that he was entirely unaffected by the humidity and heat. Furthermore, he posses
sed that unearthly gait of grace when he walked, composed of the elegant features and beauty that were indicative of the Fae.

“Good a
fternoon.” Theon greeted us with a bow. His skin was goldenly tanned, his eyes a piercing blue, his hair was bittersweet chocolate and loose, and his jaw square and strong, showing the finest hint of stubble. “Daine Caradoc and Miss Macardle, what a pleasant surprise to have found the two of you here. I am Theon. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” His accent dripped of southern honey as he spoke.

I said nothing, but stared at him
comfortably, waiting for him to state his purpose.

“I am appalled. I was told that you
were both to be found possessed of only the finest of manners. Apparently your civility does not extend to me. Though, I confess to be entirely at a loss as to why I have earned such hostile regard.” Seeing that his words had little effect upon our moods, he continued. “It is a shame that I have stumbled upon you. Despite my best efforts, I had hoped to avoid you and thereby avert your untimely deaths. However, seeing as how I am under the order of our most esteemed king and queen to dispatch of you, I can in no way disobey.” His body seemed to radiate sorrow, but his words reeked of his joy at the task he had been given.

F
ive of his companions seemed to materialize from nothing as they came into view, sifting in from where they had been hidden somewhere behind the trees. They sauntered forward until they stood beside Theon.

Theon began to
stroll forward, his eyes trained solely upon Ayda. She and her horse backed away to shield themselves behind me and mine. “It is also a great tragedy that one so delicate, beautiful, and spirited should have to die with having never known what it is like to be touched by the Tylwyth Teg. I can assure you, child, you will have never experienced anything quite like it in your virtuous state.” Desire radiated off of him, as well as his companions. The air was filling with a scent I’m sure they thought was appealing.

Ayda was about to respond
when I cut her off by warning, “Ayda, stay behind me.”

W
e both fought the urge to turn our horses and run. But the fear of what might happen should we turn our backs on them stopped that from happening. Just because they were dampened and had chosen to take on a more humanesque appearance, did not mean that they did not possess all of their alien powers as Fae royals. They could thereby do any number of things to us the exact moment that they chose to do so. Their diminished state was why Ayda was able to look at them without her eyes beginning to bleed, as well as resist them. All they had to do was look at her as the Sidhe, and she would have been their willing slave.

I would do what I had to in order stop them
.

“I warn you
, Caradoc, should you stand in our way, we will have no choice but to restrain you and force you to watch as we have our way with her over and over again. Come, step aside, and let us dispatch of you quickly,” Theon said as casually as one might discuss the weather.

“Prepare yourself
, Theon, for I do not intend to give her up to you or anyone else. She is mine.” My voice echoed with power as malice dripped from my words with pure threat. I may not have the Sword, but I would prevent them from harming her, even if it cost me my life.

“Suit yourself,” Theon said. A blast of invisible energy slammed into my chest and knocked me clean off my horse and into the nearby tree. My eyes had a difficult time focusing as I fuzzily saw Ayda scream and quickly dismount to crouch beside me.

“Ayda, get on your horse, and run,” I implored her between ragged, gasping breaths. My ribs were broken; the Sidhe were going to make quick work of me. But perhaps I could create enough of a distraction to give her time to get away. Tears fell down her cheeks; she defiantly shook her head.

“You promised,” I reminded her coughing and choking on what I was sure was blood fi
lling the inside of my lungs.

“No. I’ll not leave you.” She stood abruptly, and squared her shoulders
to face them. “You may have me if you so wish, but know I am not a virgin.”

This divulgence was met with grumbles and clear annoyance by all of the Sidhe present
. She’d just ruined half of their game.

“It was that Caradoc, wasn’t it
?” Theon said as he stabbed the air with his finger, pointing to me angrily.

Ayda was unperturbed by his outburst. She looked down her perfect nose at
him. “Yes. He is my husband, so naturally it would have been him.” She glared at them haughtily.

I was
doing my best to stand, to get beside her, but every move I made caused my vision swim and go dark, threatening to lose consciousness if I did not move more slowly.

I called the wind, while the Fae clamored amongst themselves about Ayda’s lack of
maidenhood, forcing it to move in and out of my lungs as I rapidly breathed the incantation for healing. Focusing, I drew energy from the Earth. She was all too willing to give me whatever was asked in aid if it meant removing these creatures from her face. My vision began to clear and breathing was made easier as I felt my ribs moving and fusing into place. I drew more, feeling the water coming to my aid, and fire only a request away.

As I healed,
I knew that I needed to dig deeply inside of myself if I was to have any chance of protecting my wife and give her time to escape. I came to the thin barrier that separated what I knew and everything that the ancient Druid inside of me did. To remove it was to delve into things and places—a genetic memory of my lineage—that I didn’t know that I was ready for. At least, I never had been until now.